REPORT

I began my reporting today at 10 a.m. The winds blowing from the north and the snow that started falling early this morning steadily intensified through the day, with temperatures dropping further as well. Due to a powerful winter pressure pattern, the forecast is calling for the strongest and longest cold wave of the season to continue through around 1/25 (Sun.), and the weather today made it feel very real. I couldn’t help but feel excited as I boarded the Alps No. 5 High-Speed Pair (pictured), which was running at a reduced speed.
[Wakaguri Central Slope]

The Wakaguri Central Slope (pictured) was lightly dusted with patchy accumulations of 0 to 3 cm of light new snow, and offered a firm, moisture-rich groomed surface where my skis ran fast and smooth. I ran into a couple from Tokyo (pictured), who told me, “We always read your reports. We’re staying at the lodge we always use and have been skiing around Hakuba almost the whole month. We were planning to go to a different ski resort today, but with the strong winds, we decided to come to Hakunori instead.”
[Wakaguri Central Slope]

When the winds really whipped the snow around (pictured), I turned my back to the north, trying to shield any exposed skin from the biting cold wind and driving, sideways snow. The Rabbit Course was topped with uneven patches of 0 to 5 cm of light new snow, and also had a firm, moisture-rich groomed surface. Around 5 to 10 cm of light new snow had piled up along the ungroomed edges of the course, sitting on top of a hard, uneven surface.
[Rabbit Course]

I spoke with a teacher from Otari Elementary School (pictured, far left) who commented, “Today, students from grades three through six have been split into eight groups and are taking lessons. Even in these conditions, we’ll do our best today.” The Wakaguri Forest Course offered the same firm, moisture-rich groomed surface as Wakaguri Central, and in some sections the accumulated snow had begun to settle into the base, changing the feel underfoot to a softer, more forgiving texture.
[Wakaguri Central Slope]

　　
[Hakuba Norikura Onsen Details on 1/20 (Tue.)]
*Fully OPEN (Except for Snake)
*Operating Lifts … No.1 Pair (8:30～) and totally 6 lifts
*Fees … 1-Day Pass Adult JPY6,200, 6 to 12 y/o JPY3,500, Pre-schooler FREE

*Print and get a great deal! Discount Coupon!
Adult 1 Day Ticket + JPY1,500 Meal Ticket or Shop Coupon＝JPY8,700 → JPY7,500!
Child 1 Day Ticket + JPY1,500 Meal Ticket or Shop Coupon＝JPY6,000 → JPY4,800!
　
*Request for the original data of our photographs
　
reported by Snownavi